Dept. HBC

  1. Department: Food

Your Views:   Backlashes

We had a story the other day about how Target plans to adjust its approach to grocery by focusing more on specialized products, and moving away from the something-for-everyone strategy. I was, to say the least, dubious. In wrote, ion part: The thing is, it isn’t easier to be an effective specialty food retailer.  It’s […]
13 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Marks and Spencer puts new digital wallet at heart of retailer’s revamped Sparks loyalty programme

M&S has launched a new look Sparks loyalty programme, with the retailer taking onboard feedback from thousands of customers who called for a more rewarding, personalised experience. At the heart of this move is a new digital Sparks wallet where customers earn money rewards to spend across any part of M&S – from Food and Fashion to Home and […]
2 min read
0
  1. Trends & External Forces

Why American Food Companies Are Viewed With Skepticism By Citizens

Politico has a piece about a new poll suggesting that there is broadening support among Americans for “restrictions on ultraprocessed foods, pesticides, seed oils, and junk food advertising, among other things.”  In fact, more Republicans, despite being members of a political party traditionally seen as being pro-business, than Democrats support such regulation. The reason? According […]
4 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

Jason & Scot Show Episode EP337 – Agentic Commerce at Citi’s Global Consumer & Retail Conference

A weekly podcast with the latest e-commerce news and events. Episode 337 is a panel discusion on the Future of Agentic Commerce from Citi’s Global Consumer & Retail Conference. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Podcast RSS SoundCloud TuneIn iHeartRadio Google Play Music Overcast Pocket Casts Facebook ????? Chapters 0:30 Welcome to the Jason and […]
3 min read
0
  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital

Andy Jassy On Grocery, Squiggly Lines, Betting Big, & Music Lessons

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has posted his annual letter to shareholders, following in a tradition begun by founder and then-CEO Jeff Bezos in 1997.  (As usual, Amazon also posts the original 1997 message after the new missive, which is one way to indicate that as much as the business has evolved and grown, its core […]
7 min read
0
  1. Channel: Mass

Target Adjusts Its Grocery Strategy

The Street reports that Target “plans to make a major shift in its grocery section” – it wants to be a specialty grocer. “Target’s Chief Merchandise Officer Cara Sylvester explained the chain’s grocery strategy during its fourth-quarter earnings call,” the story says. “‘We’re focused on what’s next, strengthening Target’s unique identity when it comes to […]
2 min read
0
  1. Shopper & Customer

Why Wellness is Becoming a Winning Retail Strategy    

Four major retailers are betting big on wellness this year: Ulta, Target, Amazon and Boots have all made significant forays into wellness in 2026. These moves align closely with signals we’ve identified across consumer behavior, category convergence and wellness-led spending.   Consumers are dedicating more of their time, energy and dollars to their own wellness routines. Mintel has been tracking this shift for several years, identifying wellness as one of the most durable, cross-category […]
4 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

AI becomes central to M&S technology transformation: these are the biggest retail stories from March

March is done and dusted, April is up and running, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful month for the retail technology space. Here’s your briefing on the most important stories from March, including VenHub Global, RTS 2026, Zalando, Nomagic, Co-op, VoCoVo, StrongPoint, Iceland Foods, AiFi, Boxbar Tech, Groupe Dynamite, and Manhattan Associates. […]
7 min read
0
  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital

5 Tips for Successful Buyer Follow Ups From Skin Centrick’s Chithra Kannan

Getting a product onto retail shelves is rarely a sprint; it is a marathon that takes place behind the scenes long after the initial pitch at the buyer’s office or at an ECRM Session. Emails. Sending Samples. Jumping on zoom calls with various departments. Back and forth, back and forth. And often in the mix […]
3 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Convenience retailer Scotmid Co-op announces investment in 4POS assisted checkout solution

Scotmid Co-op is rolling out assisted/hybrid checkout solutions as the convenience retailer looks to improve loss prevention and reduce theft (walk-offs). The £3.5 million investment in its store tech and checkout solutions from 4POS has also reduced checkout friction for customers, with dual screens allowing colleagues to step in and offer assistance to reduce shopper […]
3 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

Skincare in Focus: Market Trends, K-Beauty Momentum & Shopper Insights

Join YipitData on April 23 at 1:00 PM ET Join YipitData for a comprehensive look at the evolving skincare landscape. We’ll explore key market and shopper trends shaping the category, alongside a deep dive into the fast-paced and highly innovative K-beauty space. From breakout brands like Medicube, Biodance, and COSRX to emerging product trends and […]
< 1 min read
0
  1. Associates & Employees

Labor Pains

There were a number of stories that were reported over the past few days that illustrate the state – and state-of-mind – of the US workforce. •  Gallup is out with a study saying that “the personal and professional environment of U.S. workers was worse at the end of 2025 than at any point in […]
4 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

2025 Beauty Industry Report: Retail Trends, Category Growth, and Brand Performance

Download our 2025 Beauty Industry Report for a data-driven view of retail trends, category growth, and brand performance across makeup, skincare, fragrance, and haircare. Beauty category performance evolved significantly throughout 2025, with growth patterns diverging across retailers and between mass and prestige segments. These shifts are reshaping category momentum, brand rankings, and product demand across […]
< 1 min read
0
  1. Department: HBC

February Beauty Recap: Retail Performance and Category Growth Trends

Download our latest beauty industry report for a data driven view of category growth, retail performance, and brand dynamics across major beauty retailers. Beauty category performance continued to diverge in February, with growth trends varying across makeup, skincare, fragrance, and haircare as well as across retailers and mass versus prestige segments. In this report, YipitData […]
< 1 min read
0
  1. Retail Ecosystem

Commerce Riff with Sri & PVSB – March 17, 2026

Each week, the CPG Guys will riff on the hottest topics in the world of omnichannel commerce.  This week’s topics: McKinsey AI Breach Ulta Beauty Results Target price reductions Kroger Growth Priorities CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/ DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode […]
< 1 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

Predictive Consumer Gifting Behaviour and Seasonal Retail Trends in 2026

Christmas remains pivotal in the UK seasonal retail calendar, but evolving consumer gifting behaviour is reshaping how and when shoppers buy. While overall spending has remained stable, trends in Christmas gift buying tracked by Mintel highlight a shift towards later purchasing, demand for more distinctive gifts, and growing interest in curated and personalised shopping experiences. […]
6 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Target’s Tech Chief Has a Central Role in the Retailer’s Turnaround Plan

Prat Vemana, Target’s chief information and product officer, says improved technology is a throughline in the retailer’s recovery plan after several years of sluggish sales. The company is putting $6 billion into stores, workers, and technology this year to turn things around. Comparable sales have dropped in 11 of the past 13 quarters. Two priorities […]
2 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Ulta Beauty scores a beauty retail social commerce first with 17th March launch on TikTok Shop

Ulta Beauty will this week become the first US specialty beauty retailer to launch on TikTok Shop. With a go live date of 17th March, this will include a curated assortment of brands that are only available at Ulta. “The launch enables us to meet guests in the moments that inspire them, reduce friction between […]
2 min read
0
  1. Department: Nonfood

Beauty Tools Market: Hair and Skincare Device Trends Across Retailers

Download our latest report for a data driven look at how retailer share shifts, brand leadership changes, and hero devices are reshaping the beauty tools category across hair and skincare. Beauty tools are becoming an increasingly competitive segment as marketplace scale, emerging discovery channels, and product innovation reshape category dynamics. Amazon continues to lead tools […]
< 1 min read
0
  1. Media & Marketing

Ulta to launch on TikTok Shop with curated assortment

​[[{“value”:” Dive Brief The beauty retailer’s Q4 net sales grew nearly 12%, though industry analysts questioned the retailer’s “softer” fiscal 2026 comp guidance. Published March 13, 2026 An Ulta Beauty storefront in North Carolina on Dec. 21, 2025. Dani James/Retail Dive “}]] 
< 1 min read
0
  1. Acquisitions, Divestitures & Mergers

Breaking the Exclusivity Wall: The Data Behind Rare Beauty’s Record-Setting Ulta Launch

Download our latest report for a data driven look at Rare Beauty’s expansion into Ulta and the resulting shifts in makeup category dynamics, shopper behavior, and brand competition. Rare debuted among the top makeup brands shortly after arriving at Ulta, quickly establishing a presence across key categories such as blush. At the same time, the […]
< 1 min read
0

Trending Topics

Editor’s Choice

  1. Trends & External Forces
  2. Shopper & Customer
  3. Technology & Innovation
  4. Trends & External Forces
  5. Associates & Employees
  6. Merchandising
  7. Stores & Formats

Walmart to Expand Digital Shelf Labels Chainwide

Walmart will deploy digital shelf labels (DSLs) chainwide this year, doubling the approximately 2,300 U.S. locations currently using the technology (Walmart U.S. operates more than 4,600 stores). With more than 120,000 items in a typical Walmart store, managing price changes manually requires significant associate hours. Additionally, these DSLs are equipped with LED lights that make […]
Written by

Trending